Explore West Point through three specific highlights: parks and trails, local history, and recurring cultural and blues events. When planning your trip, it is especially helpful to distinguish between a parkway connecting several parks, a nature trail around Kennedy Lake, and events with their own distinct profiles.

Parks and Trails in West Point

The Kitty Bryan Dill Memorial Parkway—also called the Kitty Dill Memorial Parkway—extends 3.75 miles through West Point and connects five local parks. In 2005, the U.S. Department of the Interior designated the parkway a National Recreational Trail. Its defining feature for navigation is that it links several parks along one route.

Sally Kate Winters Park is right next to downtown West Point, making it easy to see the connection between a named park and the city center. The nature trail around Kennedy Lake offers a different experience: wooden bridges cross the water at several points. The parkway is defined by its five connected parks, while Kennedy Lake is distinguished by the lake and its bridges. These differences can help you decide which nature and park attractions to include in your trip.

City History, Transportation, and Blues

The Sam Wilhite Transportation Museum traces the development of transportation systems in the West Point area over a period of 200 years. The restored Friday House is home to a museum with exhibits on West Point’s history. One exhibit commemorates Payne Field, the World War I-era flight training base in Clay County. Together, these tell the story of the city and the specific history of flight training in Clay County.

A Mississippi Blues Trail marker also honors a legacy: it is located in the honoree’s hometown. The marker and the Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival are distinct blues-related attractions; the annual festival honors Howlin’ Wolf and is sponsored by the Howlin’ Wolf Blues Society and local organizations.

The Sam Wilhite Transportation Museum is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; visits can also be arranged by special appointment. Check opening hours before your visit. Old Waverly’s golf course has restricted access: it is reserved exclusively for Old Waverly members and their guests.

Festivals as a Reason to Travel

The Prairie Arts Festival takes place every year in downtown West Point on the Saturday before Labor Day, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It features more than 600 exhibits. If the festival is a major reason for your trip, check the date for the year you plan to visit before booking.

The Howlin’ Wolf Memorial Blues Festival is also held annually and is a memorial festival honoring Howlin’ Wolf. The two events have different focuses: the Prairie Arts Festival features exhibits and takes place on a set day of the week and at a set time, while the blues festival centers on honoring Howlin’ Wolf. You can plan your trip around whether you would rather attend an arts festival or a blues memorial festival.

For the broader travel overview: Clay.